Question: Hi Rich! Is this the best signing that we could get? Charlie Morton is a nice veteran, but far from Corbin Burnes. Is there another starter coming? From: Steven Wilt
Answer: Steven, I’m sure the Orioles will continue to look for additional starting pitching. Your question is a popular one. Bradley Baker also wonders about the signing of Morton.
I think it was a good signing, and the team now has perhaps 10 options for starting pitching, which is a lot more than they’ve had in the past. It’s hard to get a top-of-the-rotation starter, and the guess here is that they’re thinking that quantity is not a bad option.
Question: So we have a billionaire for an owner and he wants to win a World Series, so why haven’t you or any of your friendly journalists asked Rubinstein or Elias, why haven’t they spent serious money on free agents this year and on into the future. Why haven’t the Orioles locked up contracts on Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday or Anthony Santander? From: Ed Kane
Answer: Ed, both Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday are represented by Scott Boras, and I don’t think extensions for them are coming in the near future. If Holliday has a big year in 2025, then perhaps think again.
Rutschman had a difficult second half in 2024, so I don’t think the time is right for an extension. Signing Santander to a four-year or five-year extension at age 30 is probably not good business, and it’s no surprise he’s moving on.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.